Danish non-profit organization<a href="http://www.realdaniabyg.dk/projekter/tanghuse-paa-laesoe-det-moderne-tanghus" target="_blank"> Realdania Byg</a> commissioned <a href="http://www.vandkunsten.com/" target="_blank">Vandkunsten</a> architecture studio to design a holiday house that combines the most up-to-date construction techniques with local traditional materials. The architects designed and built a traditional house clad in<a href="http://inhabitat.com/how-green-design-will-propel-the-planes-of-the-21st-century/" target="_blank"> seaweed</a>—a material that was once used in hundreds of homes on then Danish island of Læsø, of which only 20 remain today.

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Seaweed House Vandkunsten Realdania Byg

Seaweed is non-toxic and fireproof.

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Seaweed House Vandkunsten Realdania Byg

Seaweed has proven to have as good insulating properties as commonly used mineral insulation.

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Seaweed House Vandkunsten Realdania Byg

It has fantastic acoustic properties.

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Seaweed House Vandkunsten Realdania Byg

It reproduces itself every year without any human involvement.

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Seaweed House Vandkunsten Realdania Byg

Seaweed has a life cycle of more than 150 years.

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Seaweed House Vandkunsten Realdania Byg

It is in many regards the ultimate sustainable material, claims Realdania Byg's Jørgen Søndermark.

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Seaweed House Vandkunsten Realdania Byg

The architects decided to stuff the seaweed into netted bags and distribute it all over the façade.

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Seaweed House Vandkunsten Realdania Byg

The interior walls are lined with wood.

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Seaweed House Vandkunsten Realdania Byg

The interior walls frame spaces for two families.

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Seaweed House Vandkunsten Realdania Byg

The living room and kitchen located in the center of the building.

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Seaweed House Vandkunsten Realdania Byg

Besides building a band new house clad in seaweed, Realdania Byg has also restored the roof of one of the neighboring houses.

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Seaweed House Vandkunsten Realdania Byg

The team hopes that these two projects will help promote seaweed as a viable building material and preserve the traditional architecture of the region.

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Seaweed House Vandkunsten Realdania Byg

Danish non-profit organization Realdania Byg commissioned Vandkunsten architecture studio to design a holiday house that combines the most up-to-date construction techniques with local traditional materials. The architects designed and built a traditional house clad in seaweed—a material that was once used in hundreds of homes on then Danish island of Læsø, of which only 20 remain today.